I was diagnosed at age 24, you’re never too young to start checking your chest, it could save your life.
Just over a year ago I found a lump when I was rearranging my bra. When I noticed this change to my chest, I immediately booked an appointment with a GP to get it checked out and they fast-tracked me to a breast clinic where I had a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. Within a week, I was diagnosed with triple positive breast cancer. I was in a room by myself when the doctors told me my diagnosis, I was honestly completely shocked. I burst into tears but then it dawned on me that I’d have to tell my boyfriend, Mmum, Dad and other close friends and family which was almost harder than hearing it myself. The positive thing was that the nurses and doctors I had were truly amazing, they reassured me that I was in the early stages and that I had caught it early.
Before my diagnosis, my knowledge of breast cancer was extremely limited. I had no family history, all I knew was that I needed to get my lump checked out. I noticed it by total chance but luckily it was in the early stages so I’m really glad I got it checked out as soon as I noticed something was different.
My treatment was intense; overall I have had a lumpectomy, IVF egg removal, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, axillary lymph node dissection and radiotherapy. They really threw the kitchen sink at me because of my age. I’m physically pretty fit and healthy, so while the side effects were hard, overall I feel as though I’ve recovered well. I had my loved ones supporting me throughout and they all stepped up, and even took time off work to help me with my new puppy! I found that it was more difficult mentally than physically. Sitting in that chair knowing the chemo drugs are being put in you and there’s no going back was really hard. You know the drugs are there to help you, but you also know you’re about to feel awful because of it.
A few things that really helped me get through chemo were seeing my friends when I could and keeping active, even if it was a small walk; I just needed to keep my mind busy. I also had a holiday booked to look forward to at the end of treatment. We went to the Maldives and it was the best way to say goodbye to the year I had just had.
The main thing that’s changed for me now is the fact I now think about cancer… a lot. I’d love to say I have a refreshed positive outlook on life and want to just live in the moment, but that isn’t the case. Cancer is rubbish and that’s it. There seems to be pressure on young cancer patients to find positives in their ‘journey’, it almost makes others more comfortable to hear about it. I have my moments where it all comes down on me where I really think about what’s happened, and I find it overwhelming, but those days are becoming fewer and fewer. It can be scary when the safety bubble of treatment is over.
The advice I’d give to someone is to remind yourself this isn’t permanent, yes cancer is part of your life now but you physically and mentally recover slowly but surely.
Finally I would like to use this moment to tell other young people to check their chests regularly, and if you’re currently not, then to start now. I happened to notice the lump when I was rearranging my bra but otherwise might not have found it. It goes to show how checking your chest really can save your life.
